PHUKET — Officials have announced the results of their investigation into what was described as “Phuket’s largest foreign slum” following a video report by YouTube channel “Ride with Gabi” titled “THE OTHER SIDE OF PHUKET 🇹🇭 THAILAND” released last week.
The video showed a large slum in central Phuket reportedly inhabited entirely by Myanmar migrant workers, where over 300 children receive education and meals from a foundation funded by donations and foreign volunteers.
Colonel Adul Choothong, Deputy Governor of Phuket, held a press conference to present the investigation findings, joined by Teerapong Chuaychu, Phuket Provincial Clerk; Pairoj Srilamul, Phuket City District Chief; and representatives from employment, social development and human security agencies, among others. The briefing took place at the Muk Anda Conference Room on the 4th floor of the Phuket Provincial Hall.
The Deputy Governor stated that Phuket Province dispatched officials to investigate the matter on the morning of March 17. The Internal Security Operations Command of Phuket Province (ISOC), in collaboration with the Phuket Provincial Employment Office, Provincial Administration, Immigration, and the Office of Social Development and Human Security, inspected the Ban Sri Chumphabal Foundation located in Soi Hatchananiwet 2/9, Anuphas Phuket Kan Road, Talad Yai Subdistrict, Muang District.
The investigation revealed that there are three foreign volunteers: one American, one Irish, and one Chinese national (from Hong Kong). All are unpaid volunteers receiving no financial compensation. According to the Office of the Council of State, volunteers in public charitable organizations are not considered to be working and therefore do not require work permits.
Additionally, there are ten foreigners with valid work permits, including one German national, one person without registered status, and eight Myanmar nationals. Immigration officers and the Provincial Employment Office have requested documentation from the parents of the more than 300 children studying at the foundation to verify their immigration status and work rights.
The Ban Sri Chumphabal Foundation’s Phuket branch will suspend its educational activities but will remain open for children and youth to participate in other activities. Phuket Province has assigned the Provincial Education Office to investigate further, noting that operating an educational institution without authorization could result in imprisonment for up to one year or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht.
Regarding education for foreign children in Thailand, while laws stipulate that all children under 18 years of age within Thai jurisdiction must receive equal protection without discrimination and are entitled to at least 12 years of free, quality education provided by the state, the reality remains challenging. Migrant worker parents often face difficulties enrolling their children in the formal education system.
Therefore, schools operated by foundations in areas close to worker accommodations offer a more accessible alternative for these children to receive education.
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